Joe Clifford’s third novel, Lamentation, has just been published by
Oceanview Publishing. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly says
Clifford, “understands human potential for moral collapse and redemption, and
his lean, gritty prose never lets characters or readers off the hook.” Revolt
Daily’s Renee Asher Pickup writes, "Crime writers are known for
getting down to the grit of real life, but not all of them can pull off the
heart Clifford works into his writing. Through the story you will roll your
eyes at the protagonist one moment, cheer for him the next, and find your heart
breaking by the end."
Since graduating from the MFA program, Clifford has
published a collection of short stories, Choice Cuts, his
thesis novel, Wake the Undertaker, (both, Snubnose Press), and an
autobiographical novel, Junkie Love (Battered Suitcase Press). While in the MFA
program, he was editor of Gulf Stream
Magazine, and since graduating he has pursued editing as well as writing.
He is co-editor of The Flash Fiction Offensive. In December, Out of the
Gutter and Zelmer Pulp will bring out Trouble
in the Heartland, a collection of crime stories inspired by the songs of
Bruce Springsteen that Clifford has edited.
Clifford's book tour will bring him to Murder on the Beach in Delray Beach on Wednesday, Nov.
19th, and he’ll be among the presenters at Miami Book
Fair International Sunday Nov. 23rd. He discusses his time in
the MFA program and his path to publication in an interview with MFA student Justin
Bendell in Sliver of Stone Magazine's latest issue. More info. at
Clifford's blog, Candy and Cigarettes.